Arrington Might Miss Game With Knee Injury

ByNunyo Demasio

August 25, 2004

Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington didn't practice again yesterday because of a knee injury and said he may be forced to sit out his second straight preseason game when Washington plays the Rams in St. Louis on Friday night.

"We'll see what happens. It makes it tough because it's a turf game," Arrington said, referring to the Edward Jones Dome. "But if they clear me to get out there, I'll do what I can do. But I'm okay, even if they decide to use discretion and not play me, I'm fine. I feel all right. In my heart, I feel like I can go but maybe it's a better decision for them to hold me."

Arrington missed last Saturday's 17-0 victory over the Miami Dolphins because of a first-degree sprain of the medial collateral ligament of his left knee, which he suffered in practice last week. Arrington remained in the Washington area, where he watched the game on television.

"He's getting closer," said Coach Joe Gibbs, who added that he's most concerned about Arrington's conditioning. "We need to get him to a point where he can really run full bore, and then move him towards putting pads on."

Arrington, 26, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, has missed only two games in his five-year NFL career -- both times in 2001 with a right knee sprain -- and is known for playing through injuries.

"I can't stand not playing," Arrington said. "I watched last week's game and it was one of the weirdest feelings sitting at home, watching the team play and I wasn't there. But I guess it served its purpose because I'm antsy. I need to play."

Arrington insisted that the injury won't cause him to miss the regular season opener, Sept. 12 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FedEx Field.

When asked if it was a minor injury, Arrington said: "It's not so much that it's minor. I could play through it if I really had to; if we were in a do-or-die situation."

Arrington didn't detail how he suffered the injury, except to say that it occurred after he turned the wrong way. Arrington has missed four consecutive workouts since the injury. Initially, the Redskins had hoped that Arrington would be able to practice on Monday.

Because of linebacker Mike Barrow's knee tendinitis, Arrington hasn't played an preseason game with his new teammate.

Redskins Notes: Gibbs indicated that he will likely hold training camp at Redskins Park again next season because he was generally pleased with how things have turned out.

"In general, I kind of have liked it here," Gibbs said. "The only two places I've been are Carlisle (Pa.) and here. And for the short amount of time that you're in camp, to go . . . to another facility or site will be a little bit [too much] moving."

When Gibbs initially made the decision to hold training camp at Redskins Park, he cited the relative isolation as a factor. . . .

Although Brian Kozlowski (two games) and Mike Sellers (one game) have been the preseason starters at H-back, rookie Chris Cooley still has a chance to win the starting job, Gibbs said. Cooley has looked solid, especially catching passes, with three receptions for 48 yards in limited opportunities. Sellers, who was listed on the first team to start training camp, has been bothered by an ankle injury. . . .

Running back Ladell Betts said that he won't try to overdo it against the Rams in an attempt to prove that he belongs on the roster as Clinton Portis's backup. "I'm just going to let the game happen," said Betts, who has been plagued by a hamstring ailment during training camp. "If I make some big plays, I make some big plays."

When asked if Betts must have a big game, Gibbs responded: "It's probably hard to say. If somebody plays a great ball game, I think that would be a real good indicator. You see 'em do it on the field, I think that's real important." . . .

Mike Stock, who coached the Redskins' special teams unit for the past three seasons, is now with the Rams. . . .

Defensive end Phillip Daniels (abdominal strain) said that he will miss Friday's game as a precaution.